December 4, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
Denish Anticipates 'Challenging Times'
By Dan Boyd, Journal Capitol BureauSANTA FE — The Diane Denish era hasn't begun yet, but the woman who's poised to become New Mexico's first female governor is preparing to take over the state's reins at full gallop.
Denish, the state's lieutenant governor since 2003, told reporters Wednesday that she's been in close touch with Gov. Bill Richardson and is "absolutely" in the loop on key fiscal matters.
Denish met with Richardson on Tuesday and plans to meet with him again this morning to discuss transition details.
"We'll be working closely together to make sure we have the smoothest transition possible," Denish told a news conference at a Santa Fe hotel.
Denish most likely won't become governor until late January at the earliest, after Richardson is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Neither she nor Richardson has said when confirmation hearings might begin.
The Legislature convenes Jan. 20 in Santa Fe, the same day as President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.
Denish said she'll be reviewing Richardson's legislative agenda with the governor's staff and added that she's been in contact with state finance officials about New Mexico's budget shortfall, which is expected to top $500 million when new revenue estimates are released next week.
"Certainly we're going to continue to have a very aggressive agenda, but it will be challenging times," Denish said.
Denish said it would be premature to talk about whom she might name to fill her current role as lieutenant governor.
Several people, including state Auditor Hector Balderas, Mid-Region Council of Governments Executive Director Lawrence Rael and legislators such as Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque and Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe, have been mentioned as possibilities.
Denish, a former small-business owner who was raised in Hobbs, congratulated Richardson on his nomination to Obama's Cabinet and called him a great job creator in New Mexico.
Meanwhile, the two have publicly split on several issues this year — Denish, for example, backed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination while Richardson endorsed Obama — and officials who've worked with both say they expect Denish to bring a new leadership style to the Roundhouse.
"We're very different," Denish told the Journal during the summer. "(Richardson) is a big personality. Parts of it are ambition. Parts of it are how we get things done."
Key legislators say she will taking over the Governor's Office at a particularly challenging time.
"Diane is going to walk in with the largest deficit we've ever had," said Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell.
Asked Wednesday about the significance of her ascension to governor, Denish said it will probably take weeks to register.
"It's very, very exciting," Denish said. "To have this opportunity is something that probably I haven't digested yet and really absorbed."